The Saint in Palm Springs (1941).


This movie is part of the collection: Feature Films

Producer: dali
Audio/Visual: sound
Keywords: The Saint in Palm Springs (1941).

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Reviewer: WINSTON SMITH3353 - - March 28, 2013
Subject: 6th of 8 RKO Saint Films
This Saint sequel was based upon a story by Leslie Charteris; however, many changes were made during filming. Charteris later novelized his version of the film story, including several digs at the Hollywood movie industry, in the novella Palm Springs which is contained in his book The Saint Goes West. This was the sixth of eight in RKO's film series about The Saint; the third and last with George Sanders starring as the Saint.

The film continued the screen adventures of the Robin Hood-inspired anti-hero, Simon Templar, alias The Saint, created by Leslie Charteris. Both IMDB and Wikipedia state that the filming locations were in Palm Springs area.

"When Simon sends the note to meet him by the big Joshua tree, it's a physical impossibility. Palm Springs is in the Sonoran Desert of So Cal and Joshua Trees are only found in the Mojave Desert."
~IMDB

Joshua tree growth ranges far beyond the Mohave as depicted here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Yucca_brevifolia_range_map.jpg

So Joshua trees obviously exist outside of the Mohave. Besides, Palm Springs is less than 20 miles east of the Joshua Tree National Park border. I think that the "Palm Springs area" where filming is said to take place could easily have encompassed Joshua Tree National Park. This is most likely where the frisking of Pearly Gates under the giant Joshua tree took place. This also doesn't take into account the possible odd transplanting of the beautiful plant by early settlers in the immediate area around Palm Springs.

The central cast was identical to the previous entry, The Saint Takes Over. George Sanders returned as Templar (his final performance in the role), with Jonathan Hale making his own final appearance as Inspector Farnack. (The character would next be seen in The Saint in Manhattan, a 1980s television pilot.)

Wendy Barrie makes her third and final appearance, once again playing a different character, as does Paul Guilfoyle, reprising the role of Clarence "Pearly" Gates from the previous film.

The storyline involves The Saint pursuing $200,000 ($3.2 million in 2013) in rare stamps at a Palm Springs, California hotel.

Continuity:
When the Saint enters Inspector Fernack's office from the bathroom, the Saint's shirt collar is partially folded over. He then puts on his tie, turns down the collar and asks Fernack to tie his tie. In the next shot, the collar is again only partially turned down as Fernack ties the tie. The collar is then totally turned down when he puts on his jacket.

Goofs:
Following the death of Peter Johnson, the Saint fights the murderer prior to his escape. Unfortunately, the stuntman for George Sanders bears no resemblance to him.
Depending on the shot, the direction of Pearly's head switches whilst he's being frisked at the Giant Joshua.

Factual Error:
No stamp was worth $65,000 in 1941 ($1 million in 2013).

~Sources: Wikipedia, IMDB, Google Maps, Google Earth.

CAST:
George Sanders as Simon Templar (The Saint)
Wendy Barrie as Elna Johnson
Paul Guifoyle as Clarence “Pearly” Gates
Jonathan Hale as Inspector Henry Fernack
Linda Hayes as Margaret Forbes
Ferris Taylor as Mr. Evans
Harry Shannon as Chief R. L. Graves
Eddie Dunn as Detective Barker

The film made a profit of $90,000 ($1.4 million in 2013).

Reviewer: Allen Rizzi - - January 6, 2013
Subject: Pretty Good For Six Decades Ago
I initially tracked-down this film because my father, Gene Rizzi, had a small part as the bartender in this film. I was pleasantly surprised to see a pretty good film, especially considering that it was filmed six decades ago. The plot holds up very well and it's nice to see a black and white film that keeps the viewer's attention.

Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in classic movies!

Reviewer: Kodachrome - - September 18, 2012
Subject: Enjoyable
This is as close to James Bond as a movie goer in the 1940's could get. George Sanders (one of my favorites) played the Saint better than Roger Moore.

Having grown up in Southern California, I had hoped to see some vintage shots of Palm Springs, as that city was supposed to be the locale of the drama. That being said, I notice an incongruity in the scenery. The riding scene, as well as the finale, show a number of Joshua trees in the background.

Joshua trees are exclusive to the Mojave Desert. Palm Springs is in the Sonoran Desert.

This was a pleasant find. 5 stars.